Now that you have your luggage selected you need to get packing.
1. Try and maximise on the
number of times you can wear your bottoms (pants and skirts) – target for at
least twice per item during the trip. I would opt for jeans as your safest bet,
but that solely depends on whether you are going for some stuffy workshop or
for some personal down time. When necessary, as you take your shower, steam your
already used clothes by hanging them on the door hanger to freshen them up.
2. Bring travel-sized
containers of detergent to hand wash bras, swimsuits and to beat stains out
before they set. A tip here is to refill empty bottles of shampoo (around 120 ml
or so) with detergent if smaller sizes of detergent aren't available in the market.
Alternatively, carry with you a bar soap (think Ushindi) but just
be careful to carry with you a zip lock bag so that it doesn't rub against
clean clothes after use.
3. Bring a change of undies
for everyday - and throw in 3 extra
pairs. (Who wants to take an evening shower and put on the same undies they
wore during the day?)
4. Bring three bras
(preferably in black) for a one week trip. Of the two one should have
detachable bra straps for that outfit which cant work the ‘normal’ bra.
5. Roll your cotton pieces
and fold everything else in squares so as to save packing space.
6. Carry clothes in darker shades for everyday use (black, dark blue, purple,
green, dark red) or neutral (all browns and shades of gray) colored clothing,
so any dirt or stains acquired along the way won't be too apparent.
7. Pack clothes first then
tuck in shoes in between. Pack shoes in cloth or plastic bags.
8. For cooler weather travelers: layering clothes is
more effective than hauling around bulky sweaters or coats.
9. One way of ensuring you
pack what you will actually need and will use is to write out your outfit ideas
before hand. Sounds a bit OCD but it makes perfect sense. This way you ensure
that you limit your luggage as well as you get a chance to see if the outfit
works.
